Hawke's Bay HUNTER GATHERER Tours

Together we gather the best food & drink Hawke’s Bay has to offer while touring this area of outstanding natural beauty. On the tour your expert guide, award winning food writer and world cheese expert Juliet Harbutt, that's me, will take you to her favourite places and makers to assemble everything you need for the perfect lunch at her home overlookingBlack Barn Vineyards. There are no scheduled tours each one is designed for you. You just decide on dates & times then send me an Enquiry Form (below) or if you want to discuss your individual plans just call or email Juliet.

Hunter Gatherer Foodie Tour Options

All tours are private & individually designed. Your itinerary varies depending on the season, pick up point, time and what you would like to do:

Juliet, recently we met Jamie from Boston who raved about the 4 hr cheese tour they took with you last week. We would like to book a tour for my husband and myself.

— Ann, Maine USA

What you can expect

“Whether you have one day or one week, a Hunter Gatherer Tour is the best way to see and experience HAWKE’S BAY! Thanks Juliet & Winston” Sarah & Michael Tomlinson, Oxfordshire

Taste your way through the stunning landscape of Hawke’s Bay with its beautifulArt Deco buildings, rugged beaches, swans gliding the wetlands, glimpses ofCape Kidnappers[weather permitting and it usually is!] and the Tuki Tuki river. After visiting a couple of wineries, chosen from over 25 for their exceptional wines and location and maybe a cider maker, you can taste fig ice cream at The Figgery, olives and oil at Telegraph Hill, make a quick detour to the legendary Y’a Bon Bakery [time permitting] or Te Mata Bakery Havelock’s favourite pie shop [the best!] and dive into theStrawberry Patch for fruit and vegetables before heading to Juliet’s home for an amazing lunch.

As well as the wonderful things we have gathered the main feature of the lunch is NZ Artisan Cheese from Nieuwenhuis Farmstead Goat Cheese, Hohepa, Origin Earth and maybe one or two others, plus chutneys, charcuterie, this season’s fruit and vegetables finishing with a NZ classic – Anzac biscuits! After lunch you will visit another winery before being dropped at your hotel.

Whatever your age [over 18], shape or style the tour is designed to entertain, inspire and educate you and give you a unique insight into Hawke’s Bay and New Zealand’s culinary world.

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Saturday Tours via Black Barn Growers Market

From December to February you can choose to stop at the charming Black Barn Growers Market set in a ring of tall leafy plane trees with live music, coffee and whitebait fritters. It means we visit less places but meet more producers and some of the locals who are quite friendly and you will definitely get yourYa Bon pastry!

Juliet Harbutt

Juliet Harbutt is one of the world's leading authorities on cheese. This site has tons of information about cheese!

Hawke’s Bay Tourism Award ‘Rising Star’ 2018

“Surrounded by some impressive winners I was delighted and surprised to be awarded this special prize. I started Hunter Gatherer Tours in 2017 so this is much appreciated recognition of their unique style and character. I could not have achieved this without the wonderful local producers and Hawke’s Bay Tourism” Juliet Harbutt